As a Sunderland supporter, feelings of positivity and joy are often absent. A club which is in its worst decline, arguably, in history; destined for the third tier of English football for only the second time in its 139-year existence.
During that solitary campaign in the old third division; 1987/88, a 19-year-old striking prospect named Marco Gabbiadini was snapped up from York City by manager Denis Smith, who had replaced caretaker Bob Stokoe after the 1973 FA Cup legend was called upon to try and rectify Lawrie McMenemy's failures.
Going into that season, a certain darkness, the likes of which had never been witnessed before, had descended onto Wearside; a new low discovered, and the Roker Roar muted.